Poster for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Director: Terry Gilliam
Released: 1998
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 7.2

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Raoul Duke and his attorney Dr. Gonzo drive a red convertible across the Mojave desert to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of drugs to cover a motorcycle race. As their consumption of drugs increases at an alarming rate, the stoned duo trash their hotel room and fear legal repercussions. Duke begins to drive back to L.A., but after an odd run-in with a cop, he returns to Sin City and continues his wild drug binge.

Rated R • 1998 • 1h 58m

Directed by Terry Gilliam

7.2

5K+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

13+

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) is rated R primarily for pervasive, extreme drug use, nonstop strong language, and disturbing psychedelic imagery. The film follows Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo as their escalating drug binges lead to violent threats, reckless driving, hallucinations of bloody creatures, and a brief nudity/explicit-sexual-reference. Parents should be aware of graphic-sounding drug sequences… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Johnny Depp

Benicio del Toro

Tobey Maguire

Michael Lee Gogin

Larry Cedar

Brian Le Baron

Katherine Helmond

Michael Warwick

Craig Bierko

Tyde Kierney

Mark Harmon

Tim Thomerson

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Is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Sex Strong 5/10

Violence Strong 5/10

Language Strong 7/10

Substances Intense 8/10

Themes Strong 7/10

What happens in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, moment by moment

0:03 🍷 Substances 7/10
0:06 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
0:12 🍷 Substances 8/10

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Sex and nudity in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Moderate sexual content and explicit references appear throughout, mostly as dialogue and brief images rather than full sexual scenes. There is brief nudity (a topless photograph) and a graphic reference to masturbation and semen; IMDb Parents Guide specifically notes a single explicit masturbation reference and a visible spot afterward. The film also includes sexual harassment (a man placing money between a woman's clothed breasts) and disturbing talk of keeping a young woman drugged for sexual purposes, though…

Violence and gore in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Mostly non-graphic threats, reckless dangerous behavior, and a few disturbing hallucinated images of creatures fighting. Gonzo has several psychotic outbursts and menacing threats (guns/knives are brandished but rarely used), and some hallucinations briefly show creatures with blood and entrails; these images are quick but unsettling. Overall the physical violence on-screen is limited, but the tone can feel menacing and unpredictable.

Language in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Severe and constant: the script is saturated with profanity, slurs, and sexualized insults. IMDb Parents Guide documents over 120 uses of the word "fuck" and frequent uses of other strong words; coarse language occurs in almost every scene. Expect pervasive explicit swearing and offensive epithets aimed at many groups.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Strong, explicit, and central to the film: nearly every major scene involves heavy drug or alcohol use. IMDb Parents Guide lists a long inventory (LSD, mescaline, cocaine, ether, adrenochrome, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, alcohol, etc.) and the movie dramatizes the effects — prolonged hallucinations, dangerous behavior, and a frightening adrenochrome sequence. Drug use drives the plot, leads to reckless driving and self-endangering acts, and is presented in graphic, disorienting ways.

Mature themes in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Strong themes of addiction, paranoia, mental instability, and moral/ethical collapse run through the movie. The story explores the dangers of substance abuse, impulsive criminality (impersonation, theft, and threats), and exploitation (a young woman's drug vulnerability is discussed). The film's perspective is hallucinatory, so many scenes depict distorted reality, guilt-free lawlessness, and the erosion of responsibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is best for ages 13+. It's rated R. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) is rated R primarily for pervasive, extreme drug use, nonstop strong language, and disturbing psychedelic imagery. The film follows Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his attorney Dr…

What age rating does Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas have?

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.

What is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas about?

Is there sex or nudity in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

How violent is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

Is the language in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas appropriate for kids?

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

What mature themes appear in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

How long is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas runs 118 minutes, directed by Terry Gilliam, released in 1998.

Where can I read the full Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas parent guide?

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